Interfaith Alliance president Rabbi Jack Moline issued the following statement in response to President Donald Trump’s nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court: 

“Religious freedom is not a license to discriminate. Unfortunately, President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee Judge Neil Gorsuch seems to believe otherwise.

“As a federal judge he ruled on two of the most consequential religious freedom cases in recent years, and both times he opposed genuine religious freedom. Instead, he empowered groups seeking to force their religious beliefs onto others.

“The religious freedom promised by the Constitution and envisioned by our founders is one where every person’s faith is protected and no one’s faith is used to harm others. Yet many seek to distort religious freedom into a weapon against religious minorities, women, LGBT people and others.

“At critical moments in his career, Gorsuch has sided with those who would pit religious freedom against civil rights. Senators must carefully examine Judge Gorsuch’s views and record to determine whether he would uphold religious freedom for all Americans, regardless of faith. We cannot afford as a nation to put our First Freedom at risk.”

Interfaith Alliance celebrates religious freedom by championing individual rights, promoting policies that protect both religion and democracy, and uniting diverse voices to challenge extremism. Founded in 1994, Interfaith Alliance brings together members from 75 faith traditions as well as those without a faith tradition to protect faith and freedom. For more information visit interfaithalliance.org.